From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: A candidate for political office recently contacted our newsroom with a complaint that we carried too many stories about his competitor. He then told us that there was a federal law that required 'equal time' for all candidates. Is this true?

A: No. A newspaper has a First Amendment right to control its editorial content. Although there are certain “equal time” and “reasonable access” rules that apply to broadcasters, there are no comparable rules regulating print media. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules requiring “equal time” by broadcasters apply primarily to advertising and other non-news-related appearances. There are specific exemptions for newscasts and news interviews.

For more information on the broadcast rules and other legal issues relevant to political campaigns and the media, see the Campaign Legal Center’s Campaign Media Guide at http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/attachment.html/CLC_MediaGuide+%28FINAL%29.pdf?id=1121. 

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